Complex Partnership Stalls RDA

It was a bit like putting the cart before the horse on June 11 when Mike Huguenin of the Mattapoisett Land Trust and Jack Sidor of the Buzzards Bay Coalition came before the Mattapoisett Conservation Commission to have a Request for Determination of Applicability filing heard.

At issue is an effort on the part of the MLT and BBC to construct new trails and install bog boards on property that will ultimately be owned by the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation, but locally managed and conserved by the partnership between the MLT and BBC.

But all the moving parts – legal agreements and plans – have not been fully codified on the parcel known as “Hammond Quarry” off Mattapoisett Neck Road. Funding for the acquisition of the privately held land is currently an agreement that brings together monies from a variety of agencies and private sources as well as the municipality.

Huguenin said that while the DCR wants to have trails and public access similar to other state-owned recreational properties, MassWildlife’s Natural Heritage & Endangered Species Program favored something less obtrusive. And although a letter from Natural Heritage concurring that the proposed work wouldn’t negatively impact wildlife was anticipated, it was not currently in hand.

Conservation Commission Chairman Mike King was hesitant to grant the RDA in the absence of the letter.

“There’s still the formality of getting the letter…. Bog boards would allow turtle movement, but we have a checklist,” King said. He also said that while the commission was not in disagreement with the filing, without the letter they couldn’t vote on the filing.

“We’re almost doing the state a favor,” Huguenin said.

King responded, “I would love to move forward but don’t want to set a precedent.”

The hearing was continued until June 25.

Also coming before the commission in what proved to be a short meeting was the Mattapoisett Congregational Church with a RDA to construct a handicap ramp. A Negative 2 determination was delivered.

Requests from David Davignon of N. Douglas Schneider & Associates, Inc. for Certificates of Compliance for the Gowing Family Trust, 1 Avenue A, for work completed on jetties and a sea wall was granted.

Davignon also submitted a letter for Gloria Precopio, 125 North Street, for a septic repair, which received a Certificate of Compliance as well.

The next meeting of the Mattapoisett Conservation Commission is scheduled for June 25at 6:30 pm in the town hall conference room.

Mattapoisett Conservation Commission

By Marilou Newell

 

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